The team had its most successful season up to 1995 when it was managed by Arsène Wenger, well known for his exploits at Arsenal. They won the Emperor's Cup and finished second in the J. League, with Dragan Stojković and Gary Lineker on the team. The 1995 success was eclipsed on November 20, 2010, when the club won its first J. League trophy, under the management of Stojković.[1]

The team's name was derived from the two most prominent symbols of Nagoya: the two golden grampusdolphins on the top of Nagoya Castle, and the Maru-Hachi (Circle eight), the city's official symbol.

Toyota Motors SC was overshadowed by its colleague Toyota Automated Loom Works SC (founded in 1946 and which was one of the founding members of the Japan Soccer League). When Toyota ALW were relegated to regional leagues in 1968, Toyota Motor saw an opportunity to rise at their expense.[2]

In 1972 Toyota Motors were founding members of the JSL's Second Division and its inaugural champions. They remained in the JSL until the J. League's founding in 1993. They were relegated to the JSL Division 2 in 1977. After a brief return in 1987–88, they were promoted for good in 1989–90 and remained in the top flight for 26 years, until 2016.

Since Nagoya were dealt a 5–0 defeat to the Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium on 16 May in the 1993 J. League season opener, Nagoya suffered a losing streak of 22 consecutive games to the Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium which included Emperor's Cup and J. League Cup games. Nagoya finally got their first victory over the Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium on 23 August of the 2008 J. League season, some 15 years later.